Ohio State Football: Predicting the Depth Chart Heading into Fall Camp

Although Ohio State is banned from the postseason in 2012, the Buckeye community couldn't be any more excited about the new college football season. With a new head coach in Urban Meyer, the future is once again looking bright for this prestigious program.

Ohio State returns 16 starters from a year ago, including nine on the defensive side of the ball. But with a few suspensions and injuries, the depth chart may have a few holes in it as this squad begins to prepare for the upcoming fall practice.

With the 2012 college football season right around the corner, here is what the depth chart should look like right now for your Ohio State Buckeyes.

Quarterback

Starter: Braxton Miller, Sophomore 

Backup: Kenny Guiton, Junior

Head coach Urban Meyer is in love with quarterback Braxton Miller's style of play. With his dual-threat abilities, Miller should thrive in the spread offense this season.

Running Back

Starter: Carlos Hyde, Sophomore

Backup: Rod Smith, Sophomore

Hyde will be expected to replace Jordan Hall until he recovers from a foot injury. He averaged over five yards a carry last season and scored six touchdowns.

Receivers

Starter: Devin Smith, Sophomore

Backup: Michael Thomas, Freshman

Smith has serious athletic ability, as you can see in the photo. Meyer is looking for playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, and a receiver who averaged 21 yards a reception last season likely fits the bill. 

Starter: Corey Brown, Junior

Backup: Chris Fields, Junior

Brown is another player who has the potential to become a big-time difference maker on offense. He has great speed, good hands and is considered a top-150 player in the Big Ten by Bleacher Report.

Starter: Jeff Heuerman, Sophomore

Backup: Nick Vannett, Freshman

Heuerman will likely be the starter until Jake Stoneburner gets his act together. The sophomore tight end has great size at 6'5", 250 pounds, and caught one pass last season for 25 yards. 

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Starter: Darryl Baldwin, Sophomore

Backup: Taylor Decker, Freshman

Baldwin is capable of playing either side of the ball due to his size and athleticism. Until Jack Mewhort is allowed back on the team, Baldwin will likely get the nod at the left tackle position.

Left Guard

Starter: Andrew Norwell, Junior

Backup: Tommy Brown, Freshman

Norwell is capable of playing anywhere on the line, but will be the only Buckeye on this unit who stays at the position he played last year. He is a Big Ten honorable mention and should continue his consistency.

Center

Starter: Corey Linsley, Junior 

Backup: Jacoby Boren, Freshman

Linsley is a fourth-year junior who will be a first-time starter in 2012. He is a very aggressive player, who is considered a top-150 player in the Big Ten by Bleacher Report. 

Right Guard

Starter: Marcus Hall, Junior

Backup: Antonio Underwood, Sophomore

Hall has been a key backup the last couple of seasons for the Buckeyes, but will finally get his chance to start. He has great size at 6'5", 317 pounds and good footwork. 

Right Tackle

Starter: Reid Fragel, Senior

Backup: Taylor Decker, Freshman

Fragel is a converted tight end, who looks to develop into a successful tackle.

Defensive Line

Starter: John Simon, Senior

Backup: Steve Miller, Sophomore

Simon is arguably the most important player on this entire defense. He is absolutely relentless in pressuring the quarterback, and his combined 10 sacks in the last two seasons are just scratching the surface.

Starter: Johnathan Hankins, Junior

Backup: Michael Bennett, Sophomore

Hankins was a first-year starter last season and finished the year with 66 tackles, 10 of which went for a loss. He has SEC size at 6'3", 320 pounds, and will once again be a force in the middle of this defensive line.

Starter: Garrett Goebel, Senior

Backup: Joel Hale, Sophomore

Goebel will return after starting at the tackle position and producing 33 tackles and a sack. He has 39 career games under his belt at Ohio State.

Starter: Adam Bellamy, Junior

Backup: Nathan Williams, Senior

Bellamy started 10 games last season for this defensive line and played in all 13. He has played in every game the last two seasons and could end up having a breakout season this year.

Linebackers

Starter: Ryan Shazier, Sophomore

Backup: Luke Roberts, Freshman  

Shazier really made an impact his freshman season, racking up 56 tackles and three sacks. The former four-star recruit has an extremely bright future ahead of him, as he is one of the more athletic linebackers you will find in college. 

Starter: Curtis Grant, Sophomore

Backup: Conner Crowell, Freshman

Grant failed to live up to expectations last season, but will have another season to try and redeem himself. He is a former five-star recruit from the 2011 class and has everything you look for in a future star at the linebacker position.

Starter: Etienne Sabino, Senior

Backup: Stewart Smith, Senior

Sabino has had an up and down career but played well last season, racking up 62 tackles and two sacks. Hopefully for the Buckeyes, the senior linebacker can continue improving and have another productive year. 

Defensive Backs

Cornerback

Starter: Bradley Roby, Sophomore

Backup: Adam Griffin, Sophomore

Roby was impressive last season as a freshman, grabbing three interceptions and breaking up six passes. He was even better in the spring, which makes you think this kid can become one of the better players at his position.

Safety

Starter: Christian Bryant, Junior

Backup: Corey Brown, Junior

Bryant finished third on the team with 70 tackles last season. Despite his small frame at 5'9", 190 pounds, he is certainly not afraid of contact at all.

Safety

Starter: C.J. Barnett, Junior

Backup: Orhian Johnson, Senior

Barnett led the team in tackles last season with 75, and added two interceptions and six broken-up passes for good measure. He is a proven player, who will remain in the starting role.

Cornerback

Starter: Travis Howard, Senior

Backup: Doran Grant, Sophomore

This will be a battle to keep an eye on throughout the fall. Howard has seven career interceptions, but Grant is a former four-star recruit who is eager to prove himself and see significant playing time this year.

Specialists

Kicker

Starter: Drew Basil, Junior

Backup: Kyle Clinton, Sophomore

Basil made 16 of his 19 field goal attempts, including 16 of his last 17. He also handles kickoff duties, which makes him a valuable member of this football team.

Punter

Starter: Ben Buchanan, Senior

Buchanan averaged 41.2 yards per punt last season and pinned 27 of his 70 attempts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.